
Nicole Maurer
Electrical Engineer
NRAD
San Diego, CA

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B.S. -
Electrical Engineering, San Diego State University |
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Electrical Engineer,
working on low level design, dealing with testing and
implementing the actual components in the lab. |
 
"When I graduated I hired on full time at NRAD out of the co-op program to
the new professional program which lasts for about 6 months and you go to
different organizations or branches around the center and work in
different areas maybe in communications or microwave or higher level,
lower level design, or software, hardware and it gives you an idea of
maybe what you want to do to find your niche or find out what really your
interests are, what you enjoy working on."

Nicole Maurer enjoys working for the Navy. At NRAD she does not feel
isolated. "There are a lot of women here, so I don't feel outnumbered. I
don't feel like a minority, and they're very fair." Moreover, she likes
the work atmosphere. "People work hard here, but it's not cut throat.
Everybody's very helpful. If you're working on something that's not in
your area of expertise, you can call somebody up, and they'll help you.
Everybody works together, and they're just here to get a job done."
There are also other rewards. "The pay is good. Salary is important, but
not the most important thing to me. To be able to have ample vacation to
spend with my family and friends and just being someplace that's
intellectually stimulating" are also considerations. And the benefits are
nice.
From the start, Maurer has had a good experience working for the Navy. As
a student, she participated in a coop program with NRAD, which helped her
find her direction professionally. "School is so overwhelming. You're
learning so many new things. You really don't know what you're going to
use it for, and working here helped me with that and helped me figure out
what was important to learn and the courses to take." Maurer was
subsequently hired to work in the professional program. It "lasts for
about six months and you go to different organizations or branches around
the center and work in different areas. It gives you an idea of what you
want to do." Maurer's job has provided her with the variety and
opportunity she was looking for.
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